Contextualization

Survivorship curves are a fundamental concept in the field of biology, specifically in the study of populations in ecology. They are a graphical representation of the number of individuals in a population that can be expected to survive to any specific age, which helps us understand the dynamics of species' populations, their life histories, and their response to changes in the environment.

Survivorship curves are often categorized into three types: Type I, Type II, and Type III, which represent different patterns of survival over the lifespan of a species. Type I curves, often seen in large mammals and humans, show a high probability of surviving to adulthood and a low probability of dying at a young age. Type II curves, common in birds and small mammals, show a relatively constant mortality rate throughout the lifespan. Type III curves, commonly observed in fish and plants, indicate a high mortality rate at young ages and a low mortality rate for those that survive to adulthood.

Understanding these survivorship curves can provide us with insights into the life history strategies of different species. For instance, species with a Type I curve generally have few offspring, but invest a lot of time and resources in raising each one, while species with a Type III curve often produce a large number of offspring, but provide little to no parental care.

Moreover, the study of survivorship curves has real-world applications. For instance, in the field of conservation biology, understanding the survivorship curves of endangered species can help us predict their future populations and design effective conservation strategies. In human demographics, survivorship curves can be used to study and predict population growth, which has implications for resource management, healthcare, and policy making.

In this project, you will delve into this fascinating topic, exploring the different types of survivorship curves, their implications in ecology and real-world applications, all while working collaboratively with your peers. So, let's embark on this journey to understand the dynamics of life and death in populations!

To get you started, here are some resources:

1. Khan Academy: Survivorship Curves
2. Encyclopedia Britannica: Survivorship Curve
3. National Geographic: What is a survivorship curve?
4. Crash Course Biology: Ecology - Rules for Living on Earth (YouTube video)
5. BBC Bitesize: Survivorship Curves (Includes a quiz to test your understanding)
6. The American Biology Teacher: Survivorship Curves in the Classroom (Academic paper on teaching survivorship curves)

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Exploring Survivorship Curves in the Wild"

Objective of the Project:

The main goal of this project is to understand the concept of survivorship curves, their types, and their implications in ecology and real-world applications. By conducting a field study, students will be able to observe and analyze the survivorship patterns of a selected species in its natural environment.

Detailed Description of the Project:

In groups of 3 to 5, students will select a species of interest and conduct research to gather data on the survivorship curve of that species. The data will include the number of offspring produced, the number of individuals that survive to different ages, and the causes of death at different stages of life.

After gathering the data, students will then plot a survivorship curve for their chosen species and analyze it in light of the theoretical knowledge they have learned about the three types of survivorship curves. They will also discuss the ecological and real-world implications of their findings.

Necessary Materials:

• Notebooks for recording observations
• Cameras or smartphones for taking pictures and videos
• Binoculars for distant observations (optional)
• Field guides or internet access for species identification and information
• Computer with internet access for research and report writing
• Graphing software or tools for plotting the survivorship curve

Detailed Step-by-Step for Carrying Out the Activity:

1. Formation of Groups and Selection of Species: Students should form groups of 3 to 5 members. Each group should select a species of interest for their study. It could be a plant, animal, or even a microbial species.

2. Research and Preparation: Groups should start by conducting research about their chosen species to gather information about its life history, reproductive strategy, and known survivorship patterns. This information will help guide their field observations.

3. Field Study: Groups should plan a field trip to observe their chosen species in its natural habitat. During the trip, they should record observations on the number of individuals of different ages, signs of reproduction, and any causes of mortality they can discern.

4. Data Collection: Back from the field trip, students should organize and analyze the data they have collected. They should categorize the observed individuals into age groups (e.g., young, mature, old) and note any patterns of survival and mortality they observed.

5. Survivorship Curve Construction: Using the data, students should construct a survivorship curve for their chosen species. They can use graphing software or tools to plot the curve. The x-axis should represent age, and the y-axis should represent the proportion of individuals surviving to that age.

6. Curve Analysis and Discussion: After plotting the curve, students should analyze it, comparing it with the theoretical knowledge about the three types of survivorship curves. They should discuss the implications of their findings in terms of the species' life history strategy and its ecological and real-world significance.

7. Report Writing: Finally, each group should write a report detailing their entire project. The report should include an introduction, methodology, results, and a conclusion, as well as a bibliography of the sources they used.

The entire project should take about one week to complete, including the field trip and report writing. It's important to manage time effectively to ensure all tasks are completed on time.

Project Deliveries:

At the end of the project, each group should submit:

1. A survivorship curve plot for their chosen species.
2. A written report following the structure mentioned before.

The written report should be comprehensive, detailing every step of the project, from the selection of the species to the analysis of the survivorship curve. It should also reflect on the group's collaboration during the project, highlighting how each member contributed to the work. This will help assess both the understanding of the topic and the development of socio-emotional skills such as teamwork, leadership, and time management. The report should be written in a clear and organized manner, with a logical flow of ideas and proper use of language and grammar. The bibliography should contain all the sources the group used for their research, including books, websites, and videos.